Peridance offers several exceptional instructor options for advanced ballet classes. Explore the teaching methods and distinctive styles below and select the instructor whose approach best resonates with your personal learning goals and artistic preferences:
1. Igal Perry, Founder and Artistic Director
Teaching Philosophy and Background
Igal Perry, Founder and Artistic Director of the Peridance Contemporary Dance Company and Peridance Center, is an internationally acclaimed choreographer, ballet master, and dance educator. Mr. Perry's elegant choreographic work, often created in collaboration with contemporary composers, has been celebrated as "blessedly inventive" (Jennifer Dunning, New York Times). His creative works have been performed on prestigious dance companies and at renowned festivals worldwide, including the Florence Dance Festival and Invito Alla Danza in Italy, the Batsheva and Bat-Dor Dance Companies performing at the Karmiel Dance Festival in Israel, Ailey II and Complexions Contemporary Ballet in New York City, the Companhia de Danca de Lisboa in Portugal, and Alberta Ballet in Canada. This year, his new work titled Infinity will premiere with the San Jose Ballet.
Class Philosophy and Content: Mr. Perry's advanced class introduces a fresh and dynamic approach to the study of traditional ballet vocabulary and principles. The class eloquently synthesizes the multiple elements of ballet technique, ranging from proper body placement and optimal alignment to the highest standards of technical execution, coordination, musicality interpretation, and phrasing nuance. His class is specifically designed for professional dancers seeking to begin their day with a well-balanced, flowing class, as well as for serious students aiming to advance their technical abilities, expand their freedom of movement, and build their artistic confidence.
Class Schedule: Mondays through Fridays, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
2. Elizabeth Ferrell, Professional Instructor
Background and Training
Elizabeth Ferrell was born in St. Louis, Missouri, and began serious ballet training under Alexandra Zaharias. At age 14, she earned a prestigious Ford Foundation Scholarship to attend the School of American Ballet, and upon graduation was selected by celebrated choreographer Peter Martins to receive the Danish American National Cultures Exchange scholarship to study with the renowned Royal Danish Ballet. In 1985, Elizabeth was personally invited by Mikhail Baryshnikov to join American Ballet Theatre, where she danced professionally from 1985 to 1998. Throughout her tenure, she performed extensively in both classical ballet repertory and contemporary works. She has also performed with the Pennsylvania Ballet, Eglevsky Ballet, New York City Opera, the Stars Collection featuring Alessandra Ferri, and, most recently, Hong Kong Ballet. Her professional work can be seen in several Public Broadcasting System "Dance in America" programs, Herbert Ross' feature film "Dancers," and Frederick Wiseman's acclaimed documentary "Ballet." Elizabeth participated in the inaugural teacher certification program of American Ballet Theatre's National Training Curriculum and currently holds ABT certification as an instructor. She has taught at Ballet Hispanico in New York, Danceworks in London, and the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts, and has guest-taught extensively in the United States, London, and Hong Kong. Elizabeth is currently a faculty member at the JKO School of American Ballet Theatre.
Class Philosophy and Focus: This advanced class is perfectly suited for both classical ballet dancers and contemporary dance performers at the Intermediate, Advanced, and Professional performance levels. The class follows the traditional and proven structure of a complete ballet class, starting with barre work followed by center work, with careful emphasis placed on technical excellence, musical interpretation, and artistic expression.
Class Schedule: Tuesdays, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM; Thursdays, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
3. Kai Davis, Professional Instructor
Professional Background and Experience
Kai Davis received her early training at The Ruth Page School of Dance in Chicago under the mentorship of the late and highly respected Larry Long. She also studied at The Lou Conte School of Dance, which is the home of the acclaimed Hubbard Street Dance Company, and earned full summer scholarships to both The Rock School of Pennsylvania Ballet and The Joffrey Ballet. Kai's professional career began in 1996 with The Boston Ballet, where she performed for five seasons, dancing corps and soloist roles in many classical ballets in the Vaganova tradition, including Swan Lake, Sleeping Beauty, Don Quixote, Giselle, and La Bayadere. Kai subsequently danced with Ballet San Jose for two seasons, where she performed lead roles in Balanchine classics, including Polyhymnia in Apollo and the spirited jumping girl role in Who Cares.
She then spent six years performing with Ballet British Columbia, interpreting contemporary pieces by acclaimed choreographers James Kudelka, William Forsythe, and Nacho Duato, and participating in the creative development of brand new works with the artistic director, John Alleyne.
Following her retirement from professional performance in 2010, Kai relocated to San Francisco to teach for the Alonzo King Lines Ballet Training Program. During her ten years in the Bay Area, she also taught ballet and pointe technique for the BFA Dance Program at Dominican University of Marin, the Advanced Ballet Program for Ruth Asawa School of the Arts, and provided company class instruction for both Smuin SF Ballet and Oakland Ballet.
Kai currently resides in Montclair, New Jersey, where she serves as adjunct faculty for the Dance Program at Montclair State University and works as a certified ballet instructor for Peridance in New York City.
Class Philosophy: Kai brings her extensive professional and teaching experience to create a balanced and comprehensive advanced ballet class.
Class Schedule: Tuesdays, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM; Thursdays, 10:00 AM to 11:30 AM
4. Michelle Thompson, Professional Instructor
Current Position and Professional Background
Michelle Thompson currently serves as a professor at the State University of New York at Purchase. Michelle was the Artistic Director of the New York-based Spark Movement Collective from April 2020 through March 2024. During those four years, Michelle significantly grew this independent dance company and was awarded grants from The Flushing Town Hall for community programming for children and from The Queens Council on the Arts for her innovative work titled Armenian Voices. She completed her professional training at San Francisco Ballet and performed for fourteen years with Ballet Austin, during which she interpreted works by legendary choreographers Balanchine, Twyla Tharp, and Ulysses Dove, as well as contemporary artists Stephen Mills, Sidra Bell, Greg Dolbashian, Nelly Van Bommel, Amy Seiwert, James Gregg, Gina Patterson, Thang Dao, and many others. While based in Texas, Michelle earned her undergraduate degree from St. Edward's University and launched her professional choreographic career with an emphasis on site-specific and immersive dance experiences. She now works as a freelance choreographer in New York and has presented recent work at The Mark O'Donnell Theater, Green Space, Dixon Place, and Art On Site. She has received recent commissions from NuVu Festival, CreateArt, Kingsland Wildflower Festival, and the State University of New York at Purchase. Michelle has worked in close creative partnership with Grammy Award-winning musician Johnny Butler and creative partner Caleb Patterson on projects presented at The Visionary, Mercury Lounge, Ace Hotel in Brooklyn, C'mon Everybody, and the Howland Cultural Center in Beacon, New York. She was honored as the Women's Choreography Project winner in 2017 by Avant Chamber Ballet in Dallas and was subsequently featured in Dance Magazine. Michelle's collaborative work titled Illusory Impressions, created in co-directorship with composer Catherine Davis, received an award from the Austin Critics' Table for excellence in site-specific choreography. She actively creates work for film and music video projects as well. Michelle teaches for Peridance and for NY Community Ballet at Battery Dance. She also teaches yoga classes and is the mother of two children. Michelle is currently undertaking an exciting new choreographic commission in Dallas for Pegasus.
Class Schedule: Wednesdays, 11:30 AM to 1:00 PM
